Go Into The Story

Daily Dialogue — April 11, 2019

“Don’t point that gun at my mum.”

Protagonist v. Nemesis: Keys to Conflict

The simplest way to imbue a story with a strong, central conflict is to have your Protagonist confront a Nemesis.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 10

This is the 9th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week, I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a habit…

Minimum Words, Maximum Impact

The origin and importance of one of the best screenwriting mantras… ever!

Interview (Part 3): Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter

My interview with the 2018 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winners.

Script To Screen: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”

As a salute to Halloween, how about a cut from the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Daily Dialogue — April 10, 2019

“You see, in this world, there’s two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns. And those who dig.”

If you write a great script…

…Hollywood will find you.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 9

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a habit…

Interview (Part 2): Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter

My interview with the 2018 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winners.

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”

The entire 6 part series on the hit animated movie.

Screenwriting 101: Patty Jones

“You might love dialogue like I do, but if it’s not directing towards the plot or towards character development, better get rid of it. I am…

Daily Dialogue — April 9, 2019

“Fuck you, buddy.”

Interview (Part 1): Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter

My interview with the 2018 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winners.

Scene-Writing Workshop

I’m reprising my one-week Scene-Writing Workshop which starts next Monday, April 15th.

Interview (Part 1): Grace Sherman

My interview with the 2018 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 8

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Script Analysis: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” — Part 6: Takeaways

Read the screenplay for the hit animated movie and analyze it this week.

On Writing

“Plot is people. Human emotions and desires founded on the realities of life, working at cross purposes, getting hotter and fiercer as they…

Daily Dialogue — April 8, 2019

Major Dieter Hellstrom: [in German] I must say, I grow weary of these monkeyshines.

Screenwriting News (April 1-April 7, 2019)

The week’s writing deals and movie project news.

Imagematic writing

Good screenwriting is visual writing. After all, movies are: Motion. Pictures.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 7

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Script Analysis: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” — Part 5: Dialogue

Read the screenplay for the hit animated movie and analyze it this week.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Scenery for Scenarios

“The matter of economy in settings is perhaps the very last thing that enters the mind of the amateur photodramatist — one big reason why…